Next story in Iran

TEHRAN, Iran — A prominent Iranian lawmaker said Iran has the knowledge and scientific capability to produce nuclear weapons — but will never do so.

Gholamreza Mesbahi Moghadam said Iran can easily produce the highly enriched uranium that is used to build atomic bombs but it is not Tehran's policy to go that route.

Moghadam made the comment in an interview with the parliament's news website, icana.ir, late Friday.

His views do not represent the Iranian government's policy. It is the first time that a prominent Iranian politician has publicly stated that Iran has the technological capability to produce a nuclear weapon.

The U.S. and its allies accuse Iran of seeking to develop nuclear weapons, a charge Tehran denies.

Eco-friendly?
In a statement earlier this week on the Iranian parliament's English-language website, Asqar Jalalian, a member of the Majlis Energy Commission, said Iran's nuclear program was part of global efforts to be more environmentally friendly.

"The nuclear science is currently viewed as one of the foundations of sustainable development in many countries," he said.

On Friday, The New York Times reportedthat Iran's leaders appeared to be showing signs of concern about the country's increased isolation in the world, as they backpedaled from criticism of Turkey, which is to host talks about Iran's disputed nuclear program.

Video: Clinton: Time for diplomacy almost up for Iran

Transcript of: Clinton: Time for diplomacy almost up for Iran

LESTER HOLT, anchor:Overseas tonight, Secretary of State
Hillary Clinton
is attending a summit with world leaders discussing two
Mideast
hot spots,
Iran
and
Syria
. And the secretary of state isn't mincing words when it comes to either country, issuing warnings to both. Our chief foreign affairs correspondent
Andrea Mitchell
is traveling with Secretary
Clinton
in
Istanbul
.

ANDREA MITCHELL reporting:Lester
, Secretary
Clinton
is warning that
time is running out
for diplomacy over
Iran's nuclear program
and expressing doubt about whether
Iran
is even serious about a diplomatic solution.

Secretary of State HILLARY CLINTON:What is certain, however, is that
Iran
's window to seek and obtain a peaceful resolution will not remain open forever.

MITCHELL:More than a year after
Iran
broke off nuclear talks, negotiations with
Iran
will resume two weeks from now here in
Istanbul
. During meetings in
Saudi Arabia
before arriving in
Turkey
tonight,
Clinton
also is urging the gulf countries to strengthen their missile defenses against
Iran
. Meanwhile, on the eve of a summit here on the crisis next door in
Syria
,
Saudi Arabia
wants to arm the rebels.
The US
is offering non-lethal aid only, arguing that the Syrian opposition is too disorganized to become an effective military force. But both the US and the Arab leaders are calling for a deadline on former
UN
Secretary General
Kofi Annan
's diplomacy. President
Assad
of
Syria
has continued shelling civilian neighborhoods, even after saying that he was accepting
Annan
's proposed cease-fire.
The UN
estimates that more than 9,000 people have died since the rebellion began.